Bar Tartine is the sister restaurant of Tartine Bakery, located on Valencia in the Mission, San Francisco. The restaurant features a modern American menu using locally sourced ingredients and the famous Tartine bread.

The fresh-baked bread from Tartine Bakery is really exceptional and a highlight. The bread has a firm, crackling crust, and soft, slightly sour and complex interior.

The Smoked Potatoes, roasted and alderwood smoked small potatoes with black garlic vinaigrette and ramp aioli, is one of the best dishes I have had in the Bay Area. The smokiness, crisp texture from roasting, cream from the aioli, and acidity from the vinaigrette are really a winning combination. I used up the rest of the bread to sop up all of the sauce.

The rest of the menu is very adventurous and original, mostly focused on fresh, seasonal vegetables. I liked the Farmer’s Cheese dumpling, served in a delicious mushroom broth. The desserts are unique as well, on the border of sweet and savory. Definitely recommended.